Genesis 34:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jacob's sons respond to the proposal with deception, citing Dinah's defilement as their stated reason.
The Context of Genesis 34:13
The brothers' deceptive counter-proposal begins.
What Does Genesis 34:13 Mean?
The brothers' answer is marked as deceitful from the outset. They frame their response as justified by Shechem's violation of Dinah, giving a morally legitimate reason while concealing their true intentions. This introduces a moral complexity: they claim to act on behalf of justice while employing deception.
Their deception suggests they have planned a strategy beyond simple negotiation. The text's explicit label of their answer as 'deceitful' alerts the reader to look beneath the surface of what the brothers say next.
Genesis 34:13 in the Original Language
mirmah (מִרְמָה), 'deceitfully' — with guile or treachery; conscious deception.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 34:13
What does Genesis 34:13 mean?
Jacob's sons respond to the proposal with deception, citing Dinah's defilement as their stated reason.
What is the context of Genesis 34:13?
The brothers' deceptive counter-proposal begins.